Where to pre-order the PS5 Pro and PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection

We're getting closer to a mid-cycle refresh for the PlayStation 5 as the staggered pre-order schedule for the PS5 Pro begins. The $699.99 console will soon be available for pre-order in the US. 10:00 a.m. ET / 7:00 a.m. PT through Sony's PlayStation Direct storefront, so if you want to secure one ASAP, you'll need to get in line on Sony's website (be sure to have your PlayStation Network credentials ready).

At the same time, Sony's retro-style 30th Anniversary PS5 Pro bundle ($999.99), PS5 Digital Edition Slim ($499.99), PlayStation Portal ($219.99), DualSense ($79.99), and DualSense Edge ($219.99) will also be available for pre-order – these prices have been reported on social media, but not by Sony itself. We'll update this article if we get more information before they go on sale.

However, if you don't have much luck in the queue, you can pre-order the standard PS5 Pro starting October 10th from retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and Amazon.

The PS5 Pro's main promise is improved graphics and performance. While the new console lacks a disc drive (you can get one for an extra $80), its new GPU, AI upscaling, and better ray tracing promise a new level of fidelity for this console generation – with the ability to maintain 4K resolution at 60 frames per second on select titles. It might not be the most logical upgrade over a regular PS5 for everyone, but if you're looking for the best performance on exclusives like Final Fantasy VII Rebirthit might be the only way to achieve this (at least until Rebirth and other exclusive titles find their way to the PC).

As mentioned above, Sony is initially taking pre-orders for its $699.99 console through PlayStation Direct, which requires a PlayStation Network account. The site adds you to an online queue that updates automatically. If you're one of the lucky ones who gets through the queue without any issues, you'll be given a window of time to pre-order the console and any accessories you might want. The PS5 Pro is set to launch on November 7, so pre-orders are expected to arrive around that time.

The official PlayStation Store may have priority for pre-orders, but retailers will have their chance to shut up and take your money on October 10. That includes big ones like Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and Amazon. If the nightmarish PS5 backstocks we experienced in the early days of the pandemic were any indication, some retailers will have an organized queue set up, while others (ahem, ahem… Amazon) might feel a bit like a bot-infested Wild West. Here's our advice when the time comes:

• Create your account with the retailer in advance or log in there.
• Save your billing/shipping information to make the checkout process as quick as possible.
• If possible, try to access the retail site from both your computer and the associated mobile app for your phone or tablet.

Two weeks after the PS5 Pro comes Sony's special 30th Anniversary Collection, a capsule of limited-edition hardware honoring the launch of the original PlayStation console 30 years ago. In total, the collection offers fans the choice of the following retro-style editions: a very special PS5 Pro bundle, a Digital Edition PS5 Slim, a PlayStation Portal, a DualSense Wireless Controller, and a DualSense Edge Controller – all of which are available to pre-order through the PlayStation Direct store and will be released on November 21 (oh, thanks for the birthday present, Sony).

The PS5 Pro 30th Anniversary Bundle is the ultra-exclusive one, as Sony is only making 12,300 individually numbered sets, and the $999.99 bundle includes a PS5 Pro console, two controllers (one of which is a DualSense Edge), and additional accessories/collectibles. If the last PlayStation anniversary console is any indication, pre-orders will likely sell out incredibly quickly.

The PlayStation 5 (Slim) Digital Edition is also being released for the 30th anniversary, and Sony isn't making it as exclusive as the Pro. Now you can get in the waiting room and pre-order the more basic console from PlayStation Direct for $499.99 before it launches on November 21. Aside from the color of the console and controller, and the included cover for a disc drive, it's the same PS5 Slim we've had for nearly a year.

The PlayStation Portal remains a peculiar little peripheral, as the 8-inch handheld has a single purpose: streaming games from your PS5 via Remote Play, complete with full DualSense integration and features. The Portal looks almost odd to me in Sony's retro aesthetic, but if you were planning on buying Sony's latest mobile experiment anyway and want a little nostalgic flair, you can currently line up and pre-order the LE edition from the PlayStation Direct store for $219.99 ahead of its November 21 release date.

Sony's DualSense wireless controller is the most affordable way to dive into the nostalgic waters of the 30th anniversary collection. The limited edition DualSense and DualSense Edge gamepads offer the same features as the standard models, just with multi-colored gray paint and colorful PlayStation logo/button molding. The DualSense and DualSense Edge are available for pre-order through PlayStation Direct for $79.99 and $219.99, respectively, and are expected to arrive on November 21. Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon are also offering pre-orders for the 30th anniversary DualSense.

Update 26 September: Added links to other retailers for the DualSense 30th Anniversary Controller.